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Your fortune lies to the west. Keep your face to the sunset . . . and one day you'll ride the greatest wheel in all the world." When Aunt Honora reads this fortune in his tea leaves, Conn Kilroy knows he is destined for greater things than his small Irish village can offer. A letter from his uncle Michael in America offering Conn a partnership in his New York contracting company sets Conn on his western adventure. Just a few short months later Conn's Uncle Patrick lures him even farther west to Chicago, where they join the hardworking crew building what some called Ferris's Folly-the first Ferris wheel-then the largest wheel in the world and the showpiece of Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Lawson worked as a commercial artist before turning to the world of children's books. He began his career as an illustrator but soon became a writer as well. He was awarded the Caldecott Medal for They Were Strong and Good in 1941, and in 1945 he was awarded the Newbery Medal for Rabbit Hill. The Great Wheel was Mr. Lawson's last book. He died in 1957.

Richard Peck is the author of the Newbery Medal Winner A Year Down Yonder, as well as Fair Weather, a novel of the 1893 World's Columbian Expostion.

Top customer reviews

I am an adult and bought a used hardcover edition of this wonderful book. Written in 1957 so African-Americans are referred to as Negroes. That's the way it was, but the story takes place in 1893 or there abouts and is accompanied by illustrations provided by the author himself. Conn, a teenager from Ireland, is told his fortune based on the tea leaves in the bottom of his cup by his Aunt Honora. I love the use of language in the dialogue. Is Conn's fortune of going west and riding a great wheel fulfilled? Did you notice the books title?Can Conn learn any job he's handed faster than most? Why does everyone seem to like him so? Will he wed his cousin Agnes who loves him? How is this gigantic wheel constructed in the cold of a Chicago winter?I was caught up in the tale from beginning to end and think you will be, too.

I have always been intrigued with the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. This book would be of interest to anyone who likes all things related to the fair, or historical fiction. Suitable for junior high through adult.

This interesting book centers around the construction of the original Ferris Wheel, built for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. It shows that America is unique in its freedom and opportunity for hard-working people from many different nations. I have read this book several times and have found it to be well-written and well-illustrated. I would recommend it for all ages.